Exercise apparatus

ABSTRACT

An exercise apparatus used by individuals on carpeted and hard surfaces. The exercise apparatus comprises a first member having a first predetermined size and formed of a first predetermined material having a predetermined coefficient of friction, such first member having an upper surface and a bottom surface and a means disposed on the bottom surface of the first member for preventing movement of the first member.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates, in general, to an exercise apparatus,and, more particularly, the present invention relates to a portableslide exercise apparatus that can be used by individuals without theneed for expensive apparatus.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Exercise is an important aspect of a person's life. For the healthy andfit individuals exercise can be used for strengthening certain muscles,relieving stress or merely for getting the necessary movement andstimulation needed to maintain health and fitness. Exercise is also animportant aspect of the life of a physically impaired individual. Somesort of exercise may be the first step in a person's rehabilitation orit may just be the movement that is necessary for that individual tomaintain use of extremities. Some movement of a persons feet isnecessary to maintain circulation in the legs and keeping the legs frombecoming atrophied. It is also important for the individual who sits forlong periods of time to exercise his/her feet.

Thus, it would be advantageous if there were a means for an individualto exercise his/her feet without the need for expensive or bulkyequipment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect the present invention provides an exercise apparatusfor use by individuals for use on carpeted and hard surfaces. Theexercise apparatus comprises a first member having a first predeterminedsize and formed of a first predetermined material having a predeterminedcoefficient of friction, such first member having an upper surface and abottom surface and a means disposed on the bottom surface of the firstmember for preventing movement of the first member.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present invention isto provide an apparatus that can be used by individuals for exercisingtheir feet and legs.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus thatcan be used by the physically impaired and the elderly for exercisingthat is simple and easy to use.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide is toprovide an apparatus that can be used by individuals for exercising thatcan be stored easily.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide is to providean apparatus that can be used by individuals for exercising that can beset up quickly.

These and various other objects and advantages of this invention willbecome apparent after a full reading of the following detaileddescription, particularly, when read in conjunction with the attacheddrawings as described below and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the exercise apparatus according to anembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 s for use onhard surface floors.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 with araised border on the apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED AND ALTERNATE EMBODIMENTSOF THE INVENTION

Prior to proceeding with the more detailed description of the presentinvention it should be noted that, for the sake of clarity, identicalcomponents which have identical functions have been designated byidentical reference numerals throughout the several views illustrated inthe drawings.

In a first aspect the present invention provides an exercise apparatus,generally designated 10, for use by individuals on carpeted and hardsurfaces. The exercise apparatus 10 comprises a first member 2 having afirst predetermined size and formed of a first predetermined materialhaving a predetermined coefficient of friction, such first member havingan upper surface 4 and a bottom surface 6 and a means, generallydesignated 20, disposed on the bottom surface 6 of the first member 2for preventing movement of the first member 2.

The first predetermined material for such first member 2 is selectedfrom a group including polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chlorideand tetrafluoropolyethylene (Teflon). It is important that the firstmaterial have a low coefficient of friction so that the users feet canslide over the surface easily without requiring a great deal of efforton the users part.

The means 20 that is disposed on the bottom surface 6 of the firstmember 2 includes a second member 8 that has a predetermined shape andis formed of a second predetermined material. Such second predeterminedmaterial is selected from one of felt and foam to prevent the exerciseapparatus from sliding when used on a carpeted floor. Again it isimportant that the feet can slide easily on the first member 2 but it isequally important that the first member 2 remain stationary when theuser is moving his/her feet on the upper surface 4 so that the user canmove his/her feet without the apparatus moving away from the user. It ispresently preferred that such second predetermined material is felt.

The means 20 further includes rubber grippers 12, as seen in FIG. 2, toprevent the exercise apparatus 10 from sliding when used on a hardsurface floor. The rubber grippers 12 are attached to such exerciseapparatus 10 by means of an adhesive and by means of suction. It ispresently preferred that such rubber grippers be attached by means of anadhesive. However, such rubber grippers 12 could be added to theexercise apparatus 10 by means of suction cups as an expediency even ontop of the second member if the apparatus 10 is normally used forcarpeted floors but is used on hard surface floors on a temporary basis.Although the rubber grippers 12 are shown in FIG. 2 to be circular it iswithin the concept of the invention that such grippers 12 could havevirtually any shape. Such first member 2 of exercise apparatus 10further includes a raised border 14 around an outer perimeter of thefirst member 2.

The border 14 prevents the feet from sliding off of the first member 2.Such border 14 can be formed integrally with such first member 2 or itcan be added later by means of adhesion. Where it is formed integrallywith such first member 2 it is obviously made of the same material assuch first member 2. However if added later then such second member canbe formed of a different material than the first member 2.

Thus, the present invention provides a means for individuals to be ableto exercise their feet and legs. Even though the exercise may be minimalsuch exercise is necessary for individuals who are not able to do otherexercises to at least be able to move his/her feet sufficiently tomaintain circulation in the legs and thereby keep the legs from becomingatrophied. Such simple exercise may be the first step in a patientsrehabilitation. Again, although much of the description has beendirected toward individuals who are physically impaired and the elderlyit is within the concept of the invention that such exercise apparatuscan be used by persons who are seated for long periods of time whetherat a desk because of work or just seated in a chair or couch forextended periods. While a presently preferred embodiment and alternateembodiments of the present invention has been described in detail above,it should be understood that various other adaptations and/ormodifications of the invention can be made by those persons who areparticularly skilled in the art without departing from either the spiritof the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

1. An exercise apparatus for use by individuals for use on carpeted andhard surfaces, said exercise apparatus comprising: (a) a first memberhaving a first predetermined size and formed of a first predeterminedmaterial having a predetermined coefficient of friction, said firstmember having an upper surface and a bottom surface; and (b) a foamlayer having a predetermined size substantially identical to saidpredetermined size of said first member disposed on said bottom surfaceof said first member for preventing movement of said first member. 2.The exercise apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said firstmaterial is selected from a group including polyethylene, polypropylene,polyvinyl chloride and tetrafluoropolyethylene.
 3. (canceled) 4.(canceled)
 5. (canceled)
 6. (canceled)
 7. (canceled)
 8. (canceled) 9.The exercise apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said first memberfurther includes a raised border around an outer perimeter of said firstmember.
 10. The exercise apparatus, according to claim 9, wherein saidraised border is one of being integrally formed as part of said firstmember and attached to said first member.
 11. The exercise apparatus,according to claim 10, wherein said raised border is integrally formedas part of said first member.
 12. An exercise apparatus for use byindividuals for use on carpeted and hard surfaces, said exerciseapparatus comprising: (a) a first member having a first predeterminedsize and formed of a first predetermined material having a predeterminedcoefficient of friction, said first member having an upper surface and abottom surface; and (b) a plurality of grippers having a predeterminedshape and disposed on said bottom surface of said first member forpreventing movement of said first member.
 13. The exercise apparatus,according to claim 12, wherein said plurality of grippers are formed ofrubber.
 14. The exercise apparatus, according to claim 13, wherein saidrubber grippers are one of attached to said bottom surface of said firstmember by means of an adhesive and by means of suction.
 15. The exerciseapparatus, according to claim 14, wherein said rubber grippers areattached to said bottom surface of said first member by means ofadhesives.
 16. The exercise apparatus, according to claim 12, whereinsaid predetermined shape of said grippers is substantially circular.